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The Buccaneers’ loss to the Steelers in week six was the biggest upset of the 2022 season, but that reign didn’t last long.
Oddsmen put the Bucs as 13-point favorites over the Panthers this week, and Tampa once again found itself on the losing side of a stunning result. The Panthers ran the ball at will for most of the afternoon and their defense completely overwhelmed the Buccaneers offense in a 21-3 home win.
D’Onta Foreman had 15 rushes for 118 yards and Chuba Hubbard had nine carries for 63 yards and a touchdown as the Panthers’ running game garnered its biggest game of the season. That wasn’t what many people predicted when they traded Christian McCaffrey to the 49ers on Friday, but the point distribution already showed everyone was a long way from what would happen in Charlotte on Sunday.
PJ Walker was 16 of 22 for 177 yards and two touchdowns, which should give him an opportunity to keep the job even if Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold are allowed to return next Sunday after ankle injuries against the Falcons. The Panthers advanced to 2-5 on Sunday and a swipe at the Falcons would keep them in the mix for the NFC South lead.
The fact that a team that fired their head coach and traded in their best player is in this position underscores how little is working for the Buccaneers these days. Tom Brady was 32 of 49 for 290 yards, but the Bucs converted only 2 of 12 third downs and failed to convert a couple of fourth down tries in the second half of the game.
Wide receiver Mike Evans was targeted 15 times and caught nine passes, although his day will be remembered for a first-quarter drop that would have been one of the easiest touchdowns he’s ever scored. The rushing game only yielded 46 yards and the Bucs generally look like a team that can’t get anything right offensively.
They’ll be trying to find a better way against the Ravens next weekend because more of the same is clearly a recipe for disaster in Tampa.